GBS thread? - Page 2

[lovingmommyhood]

Originally Posted by emilysometimes

My midwife (who let me do my own swab) said NO RECTAL SWAB. If you do the rectal swab, you will come out positive. Just fyi.

Not true. I agree you should avoid it because it COULD tilt the scales against you but I had a rectal with both my DSs and I was negative. Just saying, it's not a guarantee.

[kgrace]

Thanks Nate's Mama for the encouragement. I've simmered down already. There will always be something to get "scared" about. Part of being a mom is having a little faith and it's good for me to practice breathing now~!

[amyaebi]

I'm bringing back this older thread after talking to my midwife at my home visit yesterday. She actually forgot to bring the kit for us to test, so I will be doing it next week (at 37 weeks) at my next appointment.

I was curious if she did it or if I did the swab, and if it included a rectal swab. She told me that I do it myself and she has me do two swabs -- one vaginal/perineum and the other rectal. She says that she wants to know exactly where the colonizations are so we can make an informed decision about how/if to treat.

I just thought that was so smart and made perfect sense.

I am allergic to penicillin, so am not sure what I will do if I test positive vaginally, especially if it is a high colonization -- I'm leaning towards hibiclens.

I'm sure most everyone has already had their testing done, but at least it is good information to have that you could possibly request two separate swabs to get a real picture of the bacteria in your body.

Amy

[Nate'sMama]

Got the test today.
Hope all that garlic worked!

[Nate'sMama]

NEGATIVE

Thanks ladies for all your help!

[Molck]

Originally Posted by Nate'sMama

NEGATIVE

Thanks ladies for all your help!

Yay!! So glad to hear it!

[blessedmom68358]

Hi...sorry to intrude, but I could really use a little help...

I'm lurking from June, but very worried about GBS and never have gotten any clear answers on the 'how to' preventable measures before now. (I think I need an illustrated chart - haha) I don't tolerate garlic well at all...ugh...this GI junk that I'm dealing with now certainly wouldn't make that easier for me...so I think I'll have to skip that. However, I would like to at least try some of the other methods so I can attain some peace of mind.

My "GBS history" so far:
I was on abx with my first three babies (just "assumed" positive with my third; they wouldn't test me - grrr), but negative and not on them with my fourth. This time we are planning our first homebirth and my MW does not test for GBS. She just told me we watch the baby for signs of illness; however, having been positive before, I'm rather paranoid and would like to at least try probiotics and washing...at least.

My questions:
What probiotics do you use? Are some safer than others during pregnancy? I've never taken them before so am rather clueless...
Any suggestions on where to find a peri bottle before giving birth (my old ones are long gone)? And it's simply HP diluted with water washing from front-to-back (of course), right? (Hope I don't sound too stupid.)

If anyone can help me, that would really be super...and so relieving for me! I'd also be very appreciative. I'll be 33wks tomorrow.

Anyway, thanks for this helpful thread!

All the best this month to you May mamas/babies and mamas-to-be! Congratulations!

[Nate'sMama]

blessedmom

I didn't use any probiotics. I do remember seeing a thread about it tho.
I just did the garlic and hydrogen peroxide rinse for 5 days before being tested.
You don't ingest the garlic, you insert it. I'm not sure that it would cause you any intestinal discomfort :-)
I used a squirt type travel bottle that I got at Target. Worked just fine instead of a peri bottle.

hth